Using These Tools

in the School Library Media Center
School library media specialists are using online writing and productivity tools to:

• teach technology literacy
• teach information literacy
• teach visual literacy
• teach students about collaborative online productivity tools
• teach teachers about collaborative online productivity tools
• foster collaboration
• share meeting notes
• collaborate on articles, presentations, lessons with teachers and colleagues
• produce research articles
• provide writing tools for students in the library media center
• provide presentation tools for students
• provide spreadsheet tools for students
• inform students and faculty about tools they can use at home or school
• plan events with faculty and colleagues
• use with English teachers
• provide tools for writing practice for students
• provide tools for students to collect information for research projects and produce drafts and final documents
• provide feedback on student writing and projects
• allow peer review and comments on student writing and projects
• transfer notes and documents between work and home
• create instructional documents and pathfinders
• create student-created stories and books
• use as a drop box for student work
• design instructional materials and write articles at home and access at school
• avoid software compatibility issues
• create assignments
• share ideas with colleagues
• provide a mechanism for teachers to review policies and procedures and comment so all will be happy and informed
• store ideas for easy access
• share documents in progress
• list and share resources within and between schools and districts
• plan curriculum benchmarks
• provide a common tool for group projects
• share planning documents with state association board, committee members, teachers
• write letters, applications, memos
• provide low-cost or free suite of software applications for all school and/or library media center computers
• avoid students having to carry diskettes or flash drives to save and transfer work
• take notes and write reminders for later use
• help students create group papers and projects
• create parent workshops
• compile lists for teachers
• promote special collections (bi-lingual books, recorded books, themed titles, etc.)
• work collaboratively on budget with other school library media specialists in the school
• share links with students and teachers
• author monthly and annual library media center reports
• access documents from cell phone
• write and review proposals
• maintain a file of cover letters and forms that can be easily customized and updated